Sat - March 13, 2004

Medicare Fraud


According to news accounts in the last couple days, the White House worked furiously to suppress numbers that showed that the Medicare bill would cost much more than the $395 billion they estimated.
 
This was done because some conservative Republicans (remember them?) were going to vote against the bill if it cost any more than $400 billion. It passed 216-215. As we know now, it could cost more than $550 billion- possibly much more. The people who come up with the numbers knew this too, but were heavily pressured into not releasing these figures.
 
From the Knight Ridder article:
 
Scully's note, according to Foster, "was a direct order not to respond to certain requests and instead to provide the responses to him and (to) warn about the consequences of insubordination."
 
The note was Scully's first threat in writing, Foster said, and came after at least three less formal threats. They "came in different forms," he said. "Sometimes he would make a comment that `I think I need another chief actuary,' or `If you want to work for the Ways and Means Committee (which was drafting the bill) I can arrange it.' It was that sort of thing."
 
There were rumblings about this when the bill was being passed, but it didn't become a big meme. A lot of you political junkies will remember that this bill was passed under many unusual circumstances- a Republican claimed that he was offered a bribe (backing from the RNC for his son's election if he voted yes) and Tommy Thompson walking the floors of congress selling the package for hours- long after the vote was scheduled to take place. All are against house rules.
 
Wow these guys really brought integrity back to Washington!

Posted at 03:30 PM     Read More    

Sun - February 29, 2004

Amendment Happy


Always nice to see a President trying hard to play to his base. In doing so, he gets to take aim at two things the GOP loathes- queers and "activist judges". Who cares about states' rights? That is SO ten years ago!

Apparently he supports the language of Marilyn Musgrave's (R- Oklahoma) proposed amendment which would also ban civil unions- contradicting Bush's current stance on the issue.

This is the fifth constitutional amendment Bush has supported.  As Kevin Drum at Calpundit points out, Bush must think the Constitution is a rough draft.

I think Bush really 'misunderestimated' the backlash from supporting a constituional amendment. While many Americans don't like the idea of gay marriage, they also don't like the idea of amending the Constitution to make sure a group of people never have the right to do something.

The Log Cabin Republicans  say "inclusion wins". I guess they'll be voting Democratic this year.

Poika

Posted at 07:59 PM     Read More    

Sun - February 22, 2004

Out of touch


Last week, the chairman of Bush's Council of Economic Advisors stated that
jobs moving overseas is a great thing. This is not a real radical position
for anyone who promotes free trade, but one must question the wisdom of
making statements like this while people are losing their manufacturing (and
now, white collar) jobs and are forced to go work at McDonalds.

When manufacturing jobs are disappearing, why not pad the numbers by
considering jobs at McDonalds to be manufacturing positions? After all,
you're manufacturing a tasty hamburger!

This comes on the heels of the administration backing away from projecting
2.6 million jobs being created this year.

This couldn't be happening at a better time. If Jr. appears as out of touch
with the economy as his dad, he's finished.

Poika

Posted at 08:40 PM     Read More    

Sun - February 15, 2004

AWOL


Anyone who pays attention knew about this long ago, but it would certainly appear Bush has something to hide in his National Guard record. Whether it's AWOL, preferential treatment, drunkenness, cocaine use, crashing an airplane, or being grounded for missing a physical that involved a drug test is anyone's guess.

Now, this should have been an issue in 2000, as anyone who reads a Boston newspaper can tell you. Many people have told me that the whole issue is irrelevant. It's in the past, over thirty years ago, and the Guard was, well, just different back then. They say we run the risk of alienating independents who think the Democrats are pounding this into the ground.

Maybe so, but, as always, it matters to people if you're being honest and forthright NOW.

So far, the right has tried to counter this with a doctored photo of John Kerry with Hanoi Jane and Drudge reporting that Kerry may have been trying unsuccessfully to bag an AP reporter (not an intern) who FLED (went on assignment to) Africa. Kerry has denied the latter, and lets hope this is true and he's not put into a position like Bush and his guard service. 

Poika

Posted at 06:25 PM     Read More    

Sun - February 8, 2004

Point/Counter-point


This is how the right wing will try to counter our arguments in the upcoming election. It’s up to you to figure out how to counter them. Go ahead and post your answers!

1) Argument on the policy of ‘pre-emption’:
This was not a pre-emptive war. The cease fire of 1991 was dependant on destroying their weapons in a way that was blatantly verifiable. They did not do this.

2) Argument on tax cuts for wealthy folk:
They pay the majority of the taxes, so they should receive the majority of a tax break. (NOTE: This is quite logical, and could easily dupe many people. I’ll give you my take on this one- there should not be tax cuts for them in the first place because we can’t afford it and you don’t need to save money when you have 15 billion dollars. While I do not hate the rich, I don’t pity them either.)

3) Argument that they hyped intelligence:
Intelligence is never 100% accurate and our president had the moral clarity to cut through the bull and do what had to be done. After all, SADDAM GASSED HIS OWN PEOPLE (with chemicals we gave him. We blamed it on Iran.)

4) Argument that the economy isn’t as strong as they say it is:
The economy is building strength. We have seen productivity numbers that are through the roof. We are now adding jobs.

(This one is kind of a softball, but give it a whirl.)

5) The possibility Bush was AWOL from National Guard duties:
The National Guard is vital to our nation’s security, so quit making it sound like some mamby pampby organization that my pappy got me in.

(Bush used 1,3,4,5 on Meet the Press. - Felix)

Posted at 09:14 PM     Read More    

Sat - February 7, 2004

Poika


My name is Poika. Well, not really, but you know that. I will be providing help to Felix (original author of Liberal Agit-Prop) until the election.

A little background on me:
 
1) I have voted for Republicans in the past, but only on a local level. I will not vote Republican in a national election.

2) If you want to slap a label on me, I would be a left-leaning pragmatic liberal.

3) While I have the same reservations about Kerry as Felix has, I am an ABB (anybody but Bush) sorta guy. This means if Kerry becomes the nominee, I will be voting for him. I avoid telling any independents that I am ABB. People who voted for Bush the first time won't have their minds changed by making them feel ignorant.

4) I am a fan of Dean, favor Clark, like Kucinich's leanings, and have believed from the beginning that none of these candidates had a chance. Kucinich comes off as a dork, Clark voted for Republicans which Democrats won't forgive, and Dean is the McCain of the Democratic party (meaning the establishment Democrats don't want him). This is the pragmatic side of me. I know how much Dean excited a lot of you, but don't become discouraged. Nader said there is no difference between the two parties. Judging by the last three years, I would beg to differ.
 
I will start my postings with a few links for you to enjoy:
 
I'm happy to let you know that there is a new Bush action figure which is a little closer to the truth.
 
Remember the stupid poem Dubyah wrote for Laura a few months ago? The one about him missing the "lump in his bed" while she was on a trip to France? As trivial as this may be, it turns out this was a lie . Especially worth reading is the interpretation of this event at the bottom of the page.

Worthy of spreading around in email- the consequences of PNAC . Thank you, Mr. Kristol!
 
Hope you enjoy my additions
Poika

Posted at 03:38 PM     Read More    

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